Muhammad Arif Zainon Rashid, 27, was once involved in the “bike-riding street thugs” or “Mat Rempit” culture. However, it didn’t last after many of his biker friends were caught in road accidents and fatalities due to their carelessness. He slowly started to change and abandon the Mat Rempit activities for a better future.
From a Mat Rempit actively involved in illegal street racing, Arif now has his own clothing business called Jentera Pejuang.
It all started as a small street shop at the Uptown Night Bazaar Danau Kota, Setapak, selling jerseys with abstract and attractive designs. Slowly, his clothing business has grown by opening two branches – one in Platinum Walk and another in Bandar Dato’ Onn, Johor Bahru.
He started as a small street shop at the Uptown Night Bazaar, Danau Kota
Looking back at his entrepreneurship journey, Arif recalled he had been expelled from school due to disciplinary issues. “I wasn’t a bright student, and I only finished my Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM),” he said.
“It broke my mother’s heart to see me expelled from school. I applied for various jobs, but it was a dead end until I had to become a dropship distributor selling drugs for erectile dysfunction. I know many criticized me back then.”
Due to his unstable financial situation, Arif spent most of his leisure time riding motorcycles, and it happened he got involved in Mat Rempit activities due to his peers.
For Arif, he knew he had to do something for the family. He couldn’t stand to see his mother worried about him. Plus, his father worked as a security guard with a salary of only RM600, which is not enough to support the family.
“I have younger siblings to support. So I was determined to earn a halal living by selling clothes,” he shared.
Arif realized that most of his Mat Moto friends like to wear jerseys
He started the business with the money he had collected from his past job. He started small by ordering jerseys on a small scale and renting a lot in Uptown Night Bazaar at Danau Kota.
Asked why he chose the clothing business, Arif said he realized that most of his Mat Moto friends like to wear jerseys – whether for bike convoys or daily wear. He noticed that with the right strategy, he could make a profit out of it.
He only learned about business by watching videos on YouTube and asking his friends. Slowly, the business has grown, and he’s getting more orders from the Mat Moto community.
“Alhamdulillah, my hard work has paid off as I can now earn a six-figure monthly income that allows me to support my family,” adding that he hopes to expand his clothing brand, Jentera Pejuang, internationally.
“I hope to further expand the business by opening at least one branch in each state,” he said.
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